The heat capacities of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPL), and neopentylglycol (NPG) are measured from (193.15 to 473.15) K by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The heat capacities of the low temperature layered or chain ordered phases, high temperature orientationally disordered phases, and the liquid phases are reported for these compounds. The low temperature heat capacities (193.15 to 280) K of AMPL are reported for the first time. The heat capacities obtained from our MDSC experiments are in good agreement with adiabatic calorimetry measurements. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.